August has always been the unofficial grand finale of summer. It's the month of "one last..." One last beach day. One last barbecue. One last weekend getaway. Even if the calendar says summer is winding down, even though in Florida the sunshine doesn’t fade, the dog day of summer is coming to an end.
When I was growing up private pools were rare (except when I lived in Arizona). Even without backyard pools, there was a neighborhood pool, a community pool, or playing in the sprinklers. And there was that one friend whose backyard became everyone's favorite destination. You'd spend the day swimming until your fingers wrinkled, take a break for popsicles or sandwiches, and head right back into the water. Do you suppose the rule of “wait an hour after eating to swim “ was created by exhausted Moms allowing them one worry free hour when kids were not in the pool? Remember the simplicity of the only summertime clock that mattered was the come-home-when-the-street-lights-came-on clock.
Fast forward a few decades, and pools still hold a special place in the Florida lifestyle. But when it comes to buying a home today, are they still at the top of every buyer's wish list? Or are buyers making different choices than they did just a few years ago? Recently, we worked with a family of five who began their search where a private pool was at the top of the list. As we explored the market together, they saw removing the private pool criteria opened the door to a better home in a neighborhood they loved—and saved them a significant amount of money. In the end, they chose a house that suited their family best over having a private pool, and they're thrilled with their decision. Plus, they discovered the community pool looks like a resort pool!
Talking about pools and summer - well- it makes me think of the movie "The Sandlot" and this classic pool scene.
Stats and Data: How Much Is a Pool Really Worth?
That situation with the our Buyers inspired this month's market comparison as we take a look at homes with pools versus those without.
How much difference does a swimming pool make?
We compared homes between 1,500–2,300 square feet that sold within the last four months in three popular Venice/Englewood-area communities. Lakes of Jacaranda and Rotonda West are HOA communities, while South Venice represents a non-HOA neighborhood.
The numbers tell an interesting story.
Pool homes sold significantly faster.
Across all three communities, homes with pools spent far less time on the market.
Lakes of Jacaranda: 23 days vs. 118 days
Rotonda West: 67 days vs. 123 days
South Venice: 27 days vs. 103 days
Bottom Line: A private pool reduced the average marketing time by 56 to 95 days.
The current market shows buyers are willing to pay more for a home with a private pool.
Homes with pools continue to command higher prices and, in every community we studied, they sold much faster.
Finding the "right" choice is the key. For some buyers, a private pool is an essential part of the Florida lifestyle. For others, access to a community pool—or simply enjoying Florida's beaches and waterways—is more than enough. As always, the best home isn't necessarily the one with every feature. It's the one that best fits the way you want to live and keeps you safely within your budget.
click to see The Lakes of Jacaranda pool Home
Click to see a Rotonda West home priced below $350,000.
Click here to check out a pool home in South Venice
Gosh this one made me laugh!
As the months of summer come to an end Ray and I hope your days continue to be filled with that sunshiny feeling!
Mary & Ray
